APSIL -Chapter 187 Marriage Prospects and Practical Training

When Zhang Chen left Zhang Shou’s dormitory room, his head hung low in dejection.

It wasn’t as though he truly adored Princess Yongping. His interest had always been driven more by pride than genuine affection. But now, after thinking it over, he realized that although he could recite countless poems and literary works from memory, asking him to compose one himself was hopeless. As for the dreaded eight-legged essay? Just looking at one gave him a headache.

After asking whether he could write eight-legged essays, Zhang Shou had delivered several more devastating remarks:

“Suppose she wants to discuss music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, while you want to talk about cockfighting and dog racing. She discusses the mysteries of heaven and earth, while you rave about delicacies. She talks about the rise and fall of the empire, while you bring up buying farmland and houses… Since ancient times, talented women have admired talented men because they can actually converse with each other. Are you certain you and Princess Yongping would have anything to talk about?”

“Of course, Princess Yongping isn’t one of those literary ladies who only enjoy poetry, philosophy, and lofty ideals while disdaining official careers. Just look at the Moonflower Pavilion literary gathering she hosts—it’s a competition in eight-legged essays. Hardworking scholars obsessed with official success can catch her eye, and arrogant geniuses might earn a second glance. But there are two kinds of men she deliberately keeps her distance from. First, commoners like me who have no intention of taking the imperial examinations. Second, noble sons like you who have no ambition whatsoever.”

Zhang Wu and Zhang Lu happened to arrive together just as Zhang Chen walked out.

Seeing him so absorbed in thought that he completely failed to notice them, the two exchanged glances.

A flash crossed Zhang Lu’s eyes.

“I’ll go see what’s wrong.”

With that excuse, he hurried after Zhang Chen.

That conveniently left Zhang Wu free to speak with Zhang Shou alone. He walked to the dormitory and knocked on the door.

Once inside, Zhang Wu found himself with countless things he wanted to say.

Yet when the words reached his lips, none would come out.

Instead, he awkwardly changed the subject and asked about Lu Sanlang’s marriage.

Naturally, Zhang Shou remained perfectly composed, attributing everything to Zhu Ying’s generous willingness to help others.

After hesitating for a long time, Zhang Wu finally spoke.

“Teacher once told me that what I needed most wasn’t a marriage alliance, but a powerful patron willing to support and invest in me. Such a benefactor would be more dependable than any in-laws.”

“At the time, Teacher said that person was Miss Zhu.”

“But looking at things now… that benefactor is really you.”

“You’ve only just entered official service, yet you’re Grandmaster Ge’s last disciple. Even His Majesty jokingly calls you junior brother. I’m truly fortunate.”

He no longer addressed him as “Little Teacher.”

Instead, he solemnly called him “Teacher.”

Lowering his head, he continued.

“Brother Chen is the head student of Half-Mountain Hall. A-Lu and I serve at his side, so we’ve gained a little standing there.”

“Because Teacher favors me, my father—who rarely paid any attention to his fifth concubine-born son—has finally smiled at me a few times.”

“My legal mother no longer suppresses me so openly.”

“But…”

Just as he raised his head to continue, Zhang Shou lifted a hand, stopping him.

Thinking Zhang Shou disliked hearing complaints, Zhang Wu hurriedly prepared to explain.

Instead, Zhang Shou smiled.

“But you’re worried your father—or your legal mother—will arbitrarily choose a wife for you someday, aren’t you?”

Zhang Wu silently lowered his head in acknowledgment.

Zhang Shou chuckled.

“When I represented Yingying back at the Ripple Pavilion in Cuiyun Hall and promised all of you a future, I naturally had no intention of forgetting.”

“Lu Sanlang’s marriage…”

“…is only the beginning.”

Though Zhang Shou had made no explicit promise, those final words were a declaration in themselves.

Zhang Wu was stunned.

Then overjoyed.

He leapt to his feet so quickly he nearly kicked over his stool.

Before Zhang Shou could react, he knelt heavily on both knees.

“Teacher! Words cannot repay such kindness! When I someday establish my own family and career, I’ll never forget what you and Miss Zhu have done for me!”

Zhang Shou hadn’t expected such an emotional reaction.

He reached out to stop him, but Zhang Wu was already kneeling.

Thinking about Zhang Wu’s circumstances—a neglected concubine-born son in a noble household, lacking exceptional talent—Zhang Shou knew the past decade had been painfully difficult.

After all, not every illegitimate son was destined to become the protagonist who overturned his fate.

Accepting the bow, Zhang Shou nevertheless pulled him back to his feet.

After pressing him back onto his seat, Zhang Shou tapped thoughtfully on the table.

“Lu Sanlang once told me he wanted a wife who was gentle and adorable—but not someone blindly obedient or bound by convention.”

“I just asked Zhang Chen whom he wanted to marry in the future.”

“Now I’ll ask you the same question.”

“What do you want?”

True daughters of great noble families…would never look twice at a concubine-born son with no backing and an uncertain future like him.

Yet ordinary girls from modest households might not survive the intricate politics inside a marquis’s estate.

Nor did he possess the ability to protect them.

After taking a deep breath, Zhang Wu finally answered.

“My legal mother is an extraordinarily capable mistress of the household.”

“My eldest sister-in-law comes from a prestigious family and will someday become the family’s principal matron.”

“Even she has to bow her head before my legal mother.”

“What chance would my wife have?”

“I receive little benefit from the Nanyang Marquis Manor.”

“My legal mother dislikes seeing me.”

“So I hope my future wife can help me establish a separate household.”

Knowing his words bordered on outright defiance, he simply continued honestly.

“I’m a concubine-born son, but my birth mother passed away many years ago.”

“If I move out, my wife won’t have another mother-in-law to serve.”

“So I hope to marry a capable, spirited, fearless woman—perhaps the daughter of a collateral branch or another concubine-born daughter from a prestigious family.”

“As long as she can manage our household.”

“But my status is too low.”

“In the past I merely followed Brother Chen around causing trouble.”

“I know almost nothing about eligible young ladies, especially those from collateral branches rather than the main family.”

This fellow has really thought everything through.

Zhang Shou smiled.

“Compared with Lu Sanlang and Zhang Chen, your standards are much lower.”

“If you don’t want to be controlled by your family…”

“…have you ever considered marrying a princess?”

“Cough!”

After staring blankly in disbelief, Zhang Wu nearly choked to death on his own saliva.

Once he finally recovered, he forced a bitter smile.

“Teacher, please don’t joke with me.”

“The princesses of our dynasty aren’t like the spoiled princesses of the Tang, nor are they easily bullied like some during the Song.”

“They’re treasured beyond measure.”

“Their imperial consorts are selected with extraordinary care.”

“They’ve never lacked suitors.”

Seeing Zhang Shou’s amused smile remain unchanged, Zhang Wu became even more embarrassed.

“A useless concubine-born noble like me…”

“If I actually married a princess, I’d immediately receive my own residence and live separately with her.”

“My legal mother, no matter how formidable she is, would never dare put on a mother-in-law’s airs before a princess.”

“She’d probably never even step through the gates of the princess’s residence.”

“Of course I’d agree a thousand times over.”

“But that’s completely impossible!”

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

Zhang Shou teased him.

But he revealed nothing about Princess Deyang.

Nor did he mention Zhang Chen’s supposed interest in Princess Yongping.

Instead, he stood and opened the door.

“A-Liu.”

A figure appeared almost instantly before him.

Smiling, Zhang Shou extended his hand.

A-Liu silently placed the small locked box into it.

Turning back, Zhang Shou found Zhang Wu staring in utter astonishment, his face flushed bright red.

He said casually, “Anything A-Liu hears goes no further. There won’t be a fourth person who knows. You don’t need to worry.”

“As for this box…”

“It contains the Founding Emperor’s personal manuscripts.”

“His Majesty rewarded them to me during today’s court session.”

Zhang Wu instantly forgot his embarrassment over having confessed everything in A-Liu’s presence.

His eyes widened.

As Zhang Shou unlocked the box and spread the stack of manuscripts across the table, Zhang Wu unconsciously held his breath.

Then disappointment quickly followed.

The writing looked like heavenly script.

He couldn’t recognize a single character.

“I want you to make an exact copy of these manuscripts.”

“It won’t be easy.”

“You can ask Zhang Chen and Zhang Lu to help.”

“If Lu Sanlang has time, I’ll have him assist as well.”

“Once the copying is finished, I’ll return the originals to His Majesty.”

“After all…”

“It isn’t appropriate for the Founding Emperor’s manuscripts to remain in my possession.”

Zhang Shou deliberately kept his wristwatch hidden.

Seeing excitement quickly appear on Zhang Wu’s face, he continued.

“When I accepted the reward, I didn’t think things through carefully.”

“So I’ll submit a memorial explaining my reasoning.”

“Once one complete copy is finished, if you’re willing…”

“…help me make several more.”

Someone else might have groaned at such work.

But Zhang Wu feared only being left idle and forgotten.

Hard work meant nothing.

Catching the implication immediately, he asked, “Teacher intends to give them away?”

“My teacher, Master Qi, Master Chu, and Prefect Wang of Shuntian Prefecture will each receive a copy.”

“As for His Majesty…”

“I’ll return the original, then present him with a copy to browse whenever he likes.”

“The original is nearly two centuries old.”

“It could be damaged at any time.”

“Frequent handling won’t help preserve it.”

“Of course, A-Liu will safeguard the original.”

“You’ll all come here to do the copying.”

Hearing that one of the copies would be presented to the Emperor himself, Zhang Wu became even more enthusiastic.

Without hesitation, he nodded vigorously.

“Teacher, don’t worry!”

“We’ll reproduce it exactly.”

“Not a single character will be copied incorrectly!”

“I’ll go fetch Brother Chen and A-Lu immediately!”

Watching Zhang Wu bow respectfully before running off at full speed, Zhang Shou couldn’t help laughing.

The next moment, however, he noticed A-Liu standing at the doorway, gazing at him with deep, unreadable eyes.

“Why?”

Zhang Shou blinked.

He hadn’t expected A-Liu to ask.

After a brief pause, he smiled.

“When the teacher has work, the disciples should shoulder the labor.”

“Besides, having their handwritten copies placed before His Majesty, Master Ge, Master Qi, Master Chu, and Magistrate Wang can only benefit them.”

“I’m simply giving them practical experience.”

A-Liu looked at him.

“…Actually, you’re just being lazy, aren’t you?”

“Nonsense!”

Zhang Shou rebuked him with complete seriousness.

He carefully gathered the Founding Emperor’s manuscripts, returned them to the box, and tossed it back to A-Liu.

Then, in the most righteous tone imaginable, he declared, “I’m training my students!”

The Founding Emperor’s manuscripts were nothing like the watch on his wrist.

They were troublesome in every conceivable way.

Had he refused the gift before the Emperor and instead requested permission to make copies, he would have had to painstakingly transcribe everything himself.

Not only would it have been exhausting, but he’d also have had to be extremely careful not to reveal that he could effortlessly read and write all twenty-six letters of the English alphabet.

How could that compare to simply assigning the work to his students?

Better yet…

The students would be delighted for the opportunity to serve.

Now that was a perfect arrangement for everyone.